Twenty-one high school girls will be introduced to society Saturday at the annual Debutante Ball.

Presented by the Meridian Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., this year marks the 34th year of the event. The honorees were selected based on academic achievement, school and community activities and high moral conduct and behavior.

“These young ladies have exhibited high scholastic achievement, good moral character and community commitment,” chapter president Rosie King said.

The ball is the culmination of several months of preparation, including giving back through several community service projects and participation in several months of workshops on self-esteem and awareness, etiquette, career and goal setting, physical fitness, heritage exploration and college tours.

“The goal of the experience is not only to provide scholarships to our youth, but also to empower positive change in young ladies to believe and achieve their goals and recognize that opportunities do exist,” Debutante coordinator Jerri Johnson said.

Following are brief bios of the 2018 Debutantes:

Calaysia Allen

Grade/School: 11th /Meridian High School

Parents: Cedrick Smith and Cassandra Allen

Hobbies: Praise dancing, working out, band, and being with family and friends

Career Goal: Athletic trainer for the NFL or NBA

Escort/Parents: JaDavian Morris/LaShonda Morris and Pierre Stanley

Mia Baylor

Grade/School: 12th/Meridian High School

Parents: Terence Baylor Sr. and Erika Young-Baylor

Hobbies: Dance, listening to music and hanging out with friends

Career Goal: Crime Scene Investigator

Escort/Parents: JaKari Dubose/Wykemia Dubose

Monica Boose

Grade/School: 12th/West Lauderdale High School

Parent: Ferlinda Boose

Hobbies: President of school chorus and Libby Gary Chapter of the National Honor Society and volunteering in the community.

Career Goal: Founder of a non-profit organization to help combat world hunger.

Escort/Parents: Justin Powe/Nicole and Pervis Powe 

Amber Branch

Grade/School: 11th /Meridian High School

Parents: Reginald Branch and Tangela Branch

Hobbies: Listening to music and supporting friends at sporting events

Career Goal: Orthodontist

Escort/Parents: Ki’Shun Glenn Morgan/Ationa Glenn 

Malerie Brooks

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Santonio Brooks and Candle Temple

Hobbies: Photography, shopping, and spending time with family and friends

Career Goal: Midwife

Escort/Parents: Jaylen Fox/Taericka Temple and Erik J.Fox

Parisian Brown

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Patrick Brown and Danielle Brown

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, getting nails done and helping others

Career Goal: Registered Nurse

Escort/Parents: Lindsey Macon/Barbara and Demetrius Bright

Destiny Clemons

Grade/School 11th Meridian High School

Parents: Timothy Clemons and Tashea Clemons

Hobbies: Playing Softball, dancing, and cheering

Career Goal: Physical Therapist

Escort/Parents: Anthony King Jr./LaKashia Turner and Anthony King

Mariah Cole

Grade/School: 12th/ Northeast Lauderdale County High School

Parents: Lowery Cole and Tasha Cole

Hobbies: Exercising, reading, and hanging out with friends

Career Goal: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Escort/Parents: Demiko Brooks/Jeanette King

Mariah Emerson

Grade/School: 12th/Northeast Lauderdale High School

Parents: Reginald Stewart and Mary Stewart

Hobbies: Dancing, singing, cheerleading, and spending time with friends

Career Goal: Pediatrician and business owner

Escort/Parents: Brently White/Rashanda and Travis White

TiQuisha Grace

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: The late Willie Grace and Felicia Phillips

Hobbies: Shopping, having fun with family and friends, eating, and sleeping

Career Goal: Athletic Trainer

Escort/Parents: Jhamir D. Adams/MaShanda Adams

Taylor Gordon

Grade/School: 11th/ Meridian High School

Parents: Anthony Gordon and Tiffany Gordon

Hobbies: MHS cheerleading, dancing with the Dancing Dazzlers, and MHS Yearbook Staff

Career Goal: Business and Marketing

Escort/Parents: Chase Morris/Chris and Renata McNeil

Destiny Hampton

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Darryl Hampton Jr. and Felicia Hampton

Hobbies: Sleeping, shopping, playing tennis, and hanging out with my best friends

Career Goal: Nurse

Escort/Parents: Sean Hall Jr./ Toni Lloyd and Sean Hall Sr.

Ada’Shea Hunt

Grade/School: 12th/ West Lauderdale High School

Parents: James and Setabitha Hunt

Hobbies: Doing hair, working in my church, playing basketball, and hanging out with friends

Career Goal: Finance Accountant

Escort/Parents: Mikal Bolden/Charles and Cherie Bolden 

Au’Zyunna Lewis

Grade/School: 11th/ Meridian High School

Parents: Tyrone Lewis and Monica Lewis

Hobbies: Shopping, sleeping, and playing softball

Career Goal: Registered Nurse

Escort/Parents: Dennis Heidelberg/ Veldore and Twaskie Graham 

TyQuirsha May

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Sentoria Smith and Rodriquez May

Hobbies: Caring for younger children

Career Goals: Join the Military

Escort/Parents: Jameion Carter/James Carter and Stacey Smith

Aliyah Moore

Grade/School: 12th/West Lauderdale High School

Parents: Gary Moore and Jennifer Moore

Church: Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church

Escort: Stone Fielder/William and Debra Fielder 

Josceylin McDonald

Grade/School: 12th /West Lauderdale High School

Parents: Timothy and Amanda McDonald

Hobbies: Praise Dancing, reading, and hanging out with friends

Career Goals: Nurse

Escort/Parents: Zack Merrell/ Lashonna and Greg Clemons 

Kristian Nash

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Stephanie Nash

Hobbies: Singing, dancing, cheerleading, and hanging out with friends

Career Goals: OB/GYN

Escort/Parents: Taylor Turnage/ Ray and Jackie Turnage

Adora Norman

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Cassandra and Ronald Norman

Hobbies: Weightlifting, singing, and spending time with friends and family

Career Goals: Anesthesiologist

Escort/Parents: Joshua Ruffin/Travis Ruffin and Eileen Turner 

Al’Lexis Ott

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Al Ott Sr. and Annie Chism

Hobbies: Volleyball, singing, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family

Career Goals: OB/GYN

Escort/Parents: Bradlee Ott/Eddie Ott Jr. and Roshawnda White

Kalyn Stennis

Grade/School: 11th/Meridian High School

Parents: Angel Hughes and Kenzie Hughes

Hobbies: Spending time with family

Escort/Parents: Tyler McNeil/ Peggy and Leon Scott